by Silver RavenWolf
Reality? Tradition? Lore? The kingdoms and populace of fairy-enchantment have long haunted imaginations of poets, dreamers, peasants, and scholars. Most fairy mythology indicates that fairies manifest as preternatural creatures living between the worlds. This gives them the ability to sneak through the human populace unseen when they choose or blatantly appear in a variety of ways to serve their purposes if they so desire. Much like humans, members of the fairy realms have a checkered history when it comes to helping or harming those of us on the material plane.
The majority of fairy folk find their roots in European folklore, although legends and lore of similar entities circulate through most of human history, regardless of religious belief, cultural nuances, or socioeconomic status. From Eskimos to the Japanese, the tales, antics, and dangers of the “little folk” persist. The belief in fairies appears linked to the same area of human consciousness that creates a connection between religious mythos and metaphysical practices.
Through the tumultuous history of humankind, the origin of fairies has been hotly debated. Are they spirits of the dead? Fallen angels? The essence of plant and tree energy? Do they resemble humans only because we want them to, or can they really manifest in pseudo-human form? Are they lore-remnants of a race of people who have long since merged with the dust of our ever-changing planet, or is our belief in them so strong that we have actually manifested them into the astral through our own process of thought creation? Is that crazy woman walking down the street and muttering to herself as she adjusts her red hat just an odd lady or is she a redcap? Sagas and legends evolve from traditional stories, that although containing fictional and imaginative elements, may have a historical basis. These sagas and legends could represent in the popular memory a real happening that was extraordinary enough to be remembered and embellished. Perhaps our fairies fit the profile of the saga or legend?
Fairy legend doesn’t just revolve around cute little people with gossamer wings or the helpful brownie. A compendium of fairy lore paints them, if not as downright malicious, with at least little regard for human morality. At best, quite a few legends portray the fairy population with prankster mentality. The most powerful and unpredictable personalities manifest as the sidhe. Originally the word sidhe meant mound or hill, or the dwelling of the DeDanaan after their defeat by the Milesians. These ancient shining ones, thus exiled underground, became part of folk legend, metamorphosing into the fairies as sidhe, the people of the hills. The traditional characteristics of fairies can be found in European literature as in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet (in Mercutio’s “Queen Mab” speech), and other great works. To escape the magics of the most dangerous fairies, one would employ the use of iron, as this metal destroys all fairy magic. The majority of fairies appear to live in some sort of organized society, whether it be the ubiquitous fairyland or underground in the mythical terrain of the sidhe. Whatever the fairy society, two facts appear to remain constant: the absence of sickness and the absence of time.
If one wishes to contact the fairies or receive their blessings, a customary offering of milk and honey should be left by the back door of your home on the first day of spring. Then, as the days warm and the world around you comes alive with the energy of manifestation, you should take walks around your home or spend time meditating outdoors, sending loving energy to the area. As your thoughts merge with the universal consciousness, you will be sending the signal that you come in peace, merging the spirit of yourself with the energy patterns of the land.
References
Ellis, Peter Berresford. A Dictionary of Irish Mythology. Oxford Paperback Reference. Oxford University Press, 1987.
Evans-Wentz, W. Y. The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries. Library of the Mystic Arts. Citadel Press, 1990.
Mercatante, Anthony. The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend. Facts on File, 1988.